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Over the past decade there has been a rise in the number of people with Emotional Support Animals. This has caused some confusion around what it means to have a service, emotional support or therapy animal . Here, we explain briefly the differences between each of these animals, the training required for each different type, and debunk some common myths. Read on to learn the differences between each type of animal, which one might be right for you or your loved one, and how Dog Training Elite New Haven can help.
Not all training packages may be available at our Dog Training Elite New Haven location, please reference our pricing page for complete information on services offered.
ESA vs. Therapy vs. Service Animals: What's the Difference?
Service Animals
Service animals are animals that have been trained to assist individuals with tasks specific to their needs.
- Redirecting attention when an individual is beginning to feel overstimulated
- Reminding owners to take medication
- Waking someone who is having a nightmare
Service dogs are valued in the mental health, health care and disability community and are protected under ADA laws which allow owners to take their service dog with them everywhere they go. Dog Training Elite New Haven trains dogs to serve individuals with autism, diabetes and PTSD.
Dog Training Elite New Haven trains autism service dogs to benefit and assist children with autism. Autism service dogs can be trained to track their child in case of wandering and redirect a child’s behavior when they are starting to become overwhelmed.
PTSD service dogs help ground owners to reality, especially in public settings. These service dogs can also be trained to recognize signs of a panic attack and regulate emotional responses through pressure.
Diabetic service dogs can alert their owners to their low blood sugar and provide stability, safety and support.
Visit our individual web pages to understand more about the differences and benefits of autism service dogs, PTSD services dogs and diabetic service dogs.
Emotional Support Animals
Although all dog owners may feel the emotional benefits of owning a dog, the dog needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness such as anxiety or depression to legally be considered an ESA. Emotional Support dogs can be of any age and any breed whereas service dogs usually begin training as puppies.
In addition to being prescribed by a mental health professional, owners may wish for their dog to undergo more specific training. If you are looking for emotional support dog training in your local area, Dog Training Elite New Haven has you covered.
The professional dog trainers of Dog Training Elite New Haven are experienced with training various types of therapy animals. Trainers work with a dog’s natural temperament to ensure a strong, loving bond between dog and owner. Training can be personalized to fit the needs of the owner.
It is important to note that Emotional Support Animals are meant for just that - emotional support. Dogs trained to assist with specific tasks that may be associated with a disability are service animals. Training a dog to be an Emotional Support Animal or a therapy dog is less intensive than training to be a service animal.
Therapy Animals
Therapy Animals are very similar to Emotional Support Animals, except that they are often used to bolster the mental health and wellbeing of a community, as opposed to just an individual. Therapy dogs are often seen serving in hospitals, rehabilitation or care centers with their owners.
Owners who feel their dog may be a good fit for this kind of community service can have them receive top-notch training from Dog Training Elite New Haven.
The most important thing to note as a difference between Emotional Support Animals, Therapy and Service dogs, is service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act which states service animals must be able to accompany their owners wherever they go. Emotional Support and Therapy animals do not have the same protections and public establishments may have their own rules about ESA and therapy dogs.
Whether you’re ready to get a new lease on life with the help of a service dog, or strengthen the existing bond with your dog, Dog Training Elite New Haven has the experience and resources you need.
Our Balanced Theory
We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model (a.k.a. "Pavlovian" or "respondent conditioning"). This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form (after proper conditioning), when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter.
Empowering Owners
We empower owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times.
Personalized
We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis.
Environment Specific
We train wherever issues tend to arise (i.e. jogging, park, home).
Supportive
We support owners in the off-hours (when training is "not in session").
Involved
We work with all members of the household.
Simplified & Customized
We plan training around the owner's schedule and require only 20 min/day follow-up practice.
Continued Training
Additional programs / group sessions offered after in-home training.
Lifetime Investment
We follow up & are invested in the owner's success long-term.
Satisfaction Ratings
Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors.
clas·si·cal con·di·tion·ing PSYCHOLOGY noun A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response that is at first elicited by the second stimulus and is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call!
DTE is the perfect choice for dog training. Everyone from Loren to Jason were nothing short of excellent. My dog Rayne has so much anxiety, that it caused her to become very reactive towards people and other dogs. After one session with Jason I started seeing an improvement. He really takes the time to focus on both you and your dog’s behavior. I highly recommend DTE.— Paul Hartnett
Posted April 13th 2024
Jason is a great trainer. He has done wonders with my dog Rayne. I can’t wait to do more group sessions!— Danielle Skoglund
Posted April 6th 2024
Thank you, Jason, for helping us with our Doberman. Although he is our 2nd dobie he presented us with a challenge having such high anxiety we didn’t experience with our older one. This was new for us and became very frustrating. Jason reassured us we were doing everything right and with some consistent training and technique helped our Dobie become more adjusted and able to work through his anxiety. Walks are now a pleasure vs a stressful time for the 2 of us. The group sessions were vital for us, the consistency of the trainings helped him be around other dogs and begin to trust other dogs vs stress out around them. The one-to-ones were personal and Jason dedicated the time to exactly what our Dobie and I needed to be successful. We continue with the group sessions to keep the consistency. Thank you for helping us get our Dobie to a better place for him and our family.— MEGC G
Posted February 21st 2024
Thank you, Jason, for helping us with our Doberman. Although he is our 2nd dobie he presented us with a challenge having such high anxiety we didn’t experience with our older one. This was new for us and became very frustrating. Jason reassured us we were doing everything right and with some consistent training and technique helped our Dobie become more adjusted and able to work through his anxiety. Walks are now a pleasure vs a stressful time for the 2 of us. The group sessions were vital for us, the consistency of the trainings helped him be around other dogs and begin to trust other dogs vs stress out around them. The one-to-ones were personal and Jason dedicated the time to exactly what our Dobie and I needed to be successful. We continue with the group sessions to keep the consistency. Thank you for helping us get our Dobie to a better place for him and our family.— Marian Gaudioso
Posted February 24th 2024
Jason and Jeremy provided exceptional dog training for our English Lab. Their expertise and patience helped shape our dog's behavior in a short amount of time. Their methods use positive reinforcement as well as insightful techniques to truly make a difference. They are super qualified to take your dog to whatever level you desire. We highly recommend their services to anyone seeking effective and compassionate dog training.— Corrine Jermine
Posted February 6th 2024
Dog Training Elite has made a significant impact on my dog's behavior; he now listens attentively and responds well to commands, showcasing a remarkable improvement in his overall obedience.— Sarah Weinberger
Posted February 1st 2024
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Posted February 1st 2024
Jason is amazing with our German shepherd. His approach is very gentle and our puppy took to him immediately. She even wants to go home with him when he leaves. Highly recommend!— Taryn Walberg
Posted October 29th 2023
Highly recommend. Loren was a pleasure to work with and Jason is a magician. It's a big investment in time and money and it's absolutely worth it. It's like we have a new dog! We enlisted Jason's help at a critical juncture--our young beagle was acting like a boss--and thanks to Jason's patience, skill, and good cheer, we now have a better-behaved dog. Have worked with many trainers over the course of 20+ yrs of dog ownership; Jason is far and away the best. Thank you!!— LilyBartShops2023
Posted October 12th 2023
Dog training Elite has been wonderful! They’re always available to answer your questions and help when needed. Jason and Loren are excellent! Definitely recommend!— Taryn
Posted October 8th 2023
We have had a great experience with DTE. We have worked with both Jason and their new trainer Jeremy, and both are fantastic. They have helped our dog Chevy channel all of his energy and us to work with him. Both them and Loren are so easy to contact and always make themselves available in a timely manner. You can also tell they all truly care about the dogs that they work with. I love that with our package we will have them as a resource for as long as we need. They have been such a blessing to our family! Definitely recommend.— Amanda Mimande
Posted October 8th 2023
Jason is great! We have made major improvement with my pups social anxiety, the group classes have been a huge help and Luke continues to improve with each class— Kayla
Posted August 18th 2023
I 100% recommend working with DTE. It was worth every penny! Jason absolutely transformed my dog in 5 sessions. He went from a crazy dog who wouldn’t listen and was misbehaving, to an easy going good boy who I can walk in public, not worry about him jumping or biting on guests, and always coming when I call him. Loren was super easy to reach at all times and communicate with! Even better, I am continuing my training when I go to school in a different state, Jason and Loren have set me up with the trainers there! They also offered zoom calls or to reach back out if I needed any help and to keep them updated. They really care for the dogs they are working with and want to make sure they are making progress!— Lily Wallace
Posted August 17th 2023
We have loved working with Jason! Our pup absolutely loves him, and he has made such strides in his training because of this company. The flexibility of scheduling is really beneficial to us with our busy lives. Highly recommend!— Emily Lomnitzer
Posted August 16th 2023
We truly never thought our dog Millie would be able to be around other dogs but with Jason’s help she has turned into a completely new dog. Taking her for walks is no longer an issue after leash training and we no longer dread having to take her outside! Definitely recommend Dog Training Elite for any type of behavioral issue you may have with your dog.— Justin Pronovost
Posted August 16th 2023
Dog Training Elite of New Haven has been an excellent experience. Trainer, Jason, did a wonderful job of helping us to understand & communicate better with our dog CHESTER. Jason was able to transform Chester into an obedient and first class SERVICE DOG. The staff's service and communication have been outstanding. This experience surpassed our highest expectations & allowed us the opportunity to collaborate with fellow animal lovers. We would recommend this service to anyone without reservation. Sincerely, Awilda Santos and Robert Smith.— Awilda Santos
Posted March 27th 2023
Dog Training Elite is amazing. My at-home training here in Branford was invaluable. It helped my dog Poppy understand and know what was allowed and what wasn’t and why. It has taught social skills and how to be a good dog in various, and sometimes, uncomfortable situations. The e-collar I use, is a wonderful tool and Poppy is happier now than before training. It has been worth every dollar. Highly recommend.— Evgenia Perkins
Posted November 17th 2022
Dog Training Elite is the absolute best. It has been a wonderful experience from the very start. Our trainer, Jason, was incredibly knowledgeable and willing to help with anything we needed here in Branford. In just a few months, we've seen a major transformation with our rambunctious 2-year old Aussie, Vita. By using the e-collar provided, training went way faster than expected, just by using it to get Vitas attention. Amazing!! It A big thanks to everyone at Dog Training Elite. We are so appreciative and happy we sought out help from this organization— lindsay marottoli
Posted November 17th 2022
Dog Training Elite is the absolute best. It has been a wonderful experience from the very start. Our trainer, Jason, was incredibly knowledgeable and willing to help with anything we needed here in Branford. In just a few months, we've seen a major transformation with our rambunctious 2-year old Aussie, Vita. By using the e-collar provided, training went way faster than expected, just by using it to get Vitas attention. Amazing!! It A big thanks to everyone at Dog Training Elite. We are so appreciative and happy we sought out help from this organization Lindsay Greenberg Branford, CT— Lindsay Marottoli Greenberg
Posted November 17th 2022
Jason is awesome with Boscoe there is such a big change in him within just 2 weeks of working with Jason. I highly recommend him you & your furry friend will be so happy!!!— Colleen Bursey
Posted August 20th 2022
Proud Sponsor of The Malinois Foundation
At Dog Training Elite New Haven, we believe that Service Dogs save lives. It is our mission to make these life-saving companions available to our Veterans, First Responders, Women Survivors, and Children with Medical Needs. Whether it be for PTSD, Mobility Support, or Special Needs, Dog Training Elite New Haven works with the Malinois Foundation to heal and empower these individuals with a specialized service animal, a partner in life, and a new best friend.